While many casual Internet users think of higher speed connections as a convenience, some of the big thinkers in the Lansing area see the possibility of bringing ultra-fast broadband to the local community as something that could transform the economy.
That's why
Prima Civitas and Michigan State University have joined a national consortium called Gig.U to seek out solutions to bringing 1 gigabit-per-second broadband to Lansing.
"It really would mean business in Michigan would have access to service they don't have access to today," says Ken Theis, chief operating officer for
Dewpoint and PCF board member. According to Theis, this leap in Internet connection speeds would not only help IT businesses like Dewpoint, who could provide services from the cloud, but would change the way all businesses could operate, from local banks to small accounting firms.
Colorado-housed Gig.U is composed of 25 university communities across the country that were inspired by the possibilities Google presented to cities during their recent competition to bring higher speed connectivity to a local area.
"They selected Kansas City, but it really got the education community excited," says Theis. "Over 11000 communities applied. There is a high demand for this out there."
While the details of how ultra high speed broadband will be integrated into the community, the consortium intends to move quickly. PCF hopes to have ultra high speed available in Lansing in two to three years.
"This is critical and essential," says Theis. "It's looking forward and saying, 'How can we reshape Michigan?'"
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